Minnesota Bills

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4841: Physical contact between farmed Cervidae and free-roaming Cervidae prevention fencing requirement removal and registration revocation under certain circumstances authority removal

This bill removes a state requirement that fences around farmed deer and elk must prevent physical contact with free-roaming deer and elk, while maintaining the mandate that fences prevent animal escape. It also eliminates the authority of state officials to revoke animal facility registrations or order the removal and destruction of animals based on repeated escape incidents or uncorrected fence deficiencies. Under the revised law, facilities must still maintain fences at least 96 inches tall made of high tensile material, repair fence deficiencies within 14 days, and pay reinspection fees for violations, but the most severe penalties of registration revocation and animal destruction are no longer available. The changes directly affect Minnesota farmers and ranchers who raise deer and elk by altering enforcement options for the Board of Animal Health.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4679: Batteries stewardship program establishment, mercury prohibition in batteries provision, lead acid batteries and rechargeable consumer products provisions modifications, and appropriation

This bill establishes a new stewardship program for batteries in Minnesota and prohibits mercury in batteries, affecting manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of battery products. The legislation creates specific definitions for terms like "covered battery," "brand," and "distribute" to clarify which products fall under the program and how sales are handled. It also modifies existing rules for lead acid batteries and rechargeable consumer products while authorizing the state agency to create implementing rules and appropriating funds for the program. The bill includes an effective date of January 1, 2030, for enforcement provisions and July 1, 2026, for certain definition changes, with some existing battery-related statutes being repealed or amended.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4866: Parental contributions provisions modification

This bill modifies how Minnesota calculates financial aid eligibility by changing the percentages of parental and student contributions counted toward a student's cost of attendance. For dependent students, it sets family responsibility at 95% of parental contribution, while for independent students it sets responsibility at 71% of student contribution if they have dependents or 35% if they do not. The legislation also removes existing tuition and fee maximums that capped financial aid calculations, instead using the lesser of an institution's average tuition and fees or a new benchmark based on the highest public university rates. Additionally, it adjusts the living expense allowance to 106% of the federal poverty guideline for one person and clarifies which fees count toward financial aid eligibility.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4819: No-cost contract with a non-profit organization in the state claims and municipality tort claims liability limitations inclusion provision

This bill updates Minnesota's liability limits for tort claims involving nonprofit organizations that provide goods or services to state agencies or municipalities through no-cost contracts. It establishes that when a nonprofit operates under such an arrangement, the state and municipal liability caps for claims arising from a single occurrence are set at $1,000,000, matching the existing limit for other government operations. The legislation defines a no-cost contract as an agreement where the nonprofit provides services without charging the government entity, and it applies to nonprofits involved in outdoor recreational activities funded or permitted by the state or local government. This change ensures consistent liability protections for government partners working with nonprofits without financial compensation.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4813: Manufacturers and wholesalers engagement in the sale of nonalcoholic productions authorization

This bill allows manufacturers and wholesalers of alcoholic beverages in Minnesota to sell nonalcoholic products and engage in standard business practices for those sales. It amends existing laws to clarify that these companies can extend commercial credit and participate in cooperative advertising specifically for nonalcoholic beverages, provided these activities do not serve as inducements to buy alcohol. The legislation also permits the sale of beer on consignment to temporary license holders with commissioner approval, while maintaining restrictions on financial transactions between alcohol suppliers and retail stores. Directly affected parties include alcohol producers, wholesalers, and retailers operating under Minnesota liquor laws.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4629: Paid blood donation leave eligibility expansion to include employees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

This bill expands paid blood donation leave eligibility to include employees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, who were previously excluded from this benefit. Under the proposed changes, these employees would receive three hours of paid leave per 12-month period to donate blood at a location away from their workplace, provided they give 14 days' notice to their supervisor. The leave would not impact their vacation time, sick leave, pension benefits, or seniority status. This amendment modifies Minnesota Statutes section 43A.187 to align state college and university employees with other state workers regarding blood donation leave provisions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4763: City of Credit River municipal sanitary sewer and water infrastructure bond issue and appropriation

This bill authorizes the sale of up to $12.8 million in state bonds to fund municipal sewer and water infrastructure improvements in the City of Credit River. The funds will be used specifically for designing, constructing, and equipping water and sewer systems serving the County Court neighborhood. The commissioner of management and budget will handle the bond issuance process according to existing state laws. Once enacted, the appropriation becomes effective the day following final passage by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4656: Assist the return to Minnesota of persons removed to other states due to alleged immigration law violations

This bill allows individuals removed from Minnesota due to alleged immigration violations to request help returning to the state if they are released from detention without transportation. The Department of Public Safety would arrange travel for these individuals at taxpayer expense or reimburse them for reasonable return costs. The law also requires the department to create guidelines for processing these requests while accepting any reasonable assistance requests. Funding for these transportation costs would come from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027.

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4796: Minnesota Transportation Museum grant appropriation

This bill allocates $500,000 from the workforce development fund to provide a grant for the Minnesota Transportation Museum. The funding is intended to help eliminate financial barriers and expand programs that introduce economically disadvantaged students to skilled trades such as railroading, welding, blacksmithing, and carpentry. The money is designated as a one-time appropriation available until June 30, 2028, and will be managed by the commissioner of employment and economic development.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4794: Exemption modification for certain property owned by an Indian tribe

This bill creates a property tax exemption for specific property owned by federally recognized Indian tribes in Minnesota. The exemption applies only to property used to store medical clinic equipment and materials, located in cities with populations between 12,400 and 12,800 based on the 2020 census. The law limits the exemption to one parcel per tribe and excludes any property used for housing, parking, agriculture, or forestry. The exemption becomes effective for property taxes payable in 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4812: Money transferal from the family and medical benefit insurance account to the general fund

This bill directs the commissioner of management and budget to transfer $70 million from Minnesota's family and medical benefit insurance account to the state's general fund on June 30, 2026. The legislation affects the state's financial management by reallocating funds that were previously set aside for paid family and medical leave benefits. The transfer is a one-time action that would reduce the balance available in the paid leave insurance account while increasing funds in the general fund. The bill takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Healthcare ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4824: Prohibit the state and municipalities from entering into nondisclosure agreements

This bill prohibits both the state of Minnesota and local municipalities from signing nondisclosure agreements with private individuals regarding projects funded by tax revenues or public debt. It directly affects government agencies, elected officials, and private entities involved in land development, economic initiatives, and infrastructure projects. Under the law, any such agreement attempting to restrict public access to information about these projects would be automatically invalid and unenforceable, though other parts of the contract would remain in effect. The bill also requires the state and municipalities to publicly disclose any contracts that violate this restriction, ensuring transparency in public spending and development decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results